One may seek to serve a ruler devoid of wealth or loyal
subjects,but never arulerwithoutcharacter, for a
characterless rulerdisregards the
tenets of political science, associates himself withevil company and comes to ruin even after
inheriting a large andprosperous
kingdom.

Fire may burn a part or whole of the body. But a ruler can
destroyone along with his wife and
children. He can also cause theiradvancement.

Absence of a contradicting tendency makes one'sposition secure.

(A courtier)shouldspeak out the ruler's interest without loss
oftime, his own interest with his dear
friends, others' interests at theappropriate time and place, keeping in view the requirements ofrighteousness and material well-being.

(A courtier) when questioned by a ruler onimportant mattersrequiring intellectual analysis, should, like
an expert and unafraid ofthe assembly,
mention his views on what is practicable, consistentwith righteousness and materialbenefit.

Those who goad one into rash acts, unrighteousness andextravagance are really enemies under the
mask of friends.

One should avoid hearing evil aspersions spoken about others
norspeak such things oneself.

One should forgive evil words spoken to oneself and haveforbearance like that of the earth.

Even competent persons bpeaking unpleasantthings have beenbanished by rulers.

Undesirable persons becomefavourites byacting according to
thereading of the ruler's mind.

One may laugh at jokes,but never iaugh ioudiy.

The wise ones should always first look to their own self pro­tection.Those who serve rulers are said to function
in fire.

When asked, one should speak out what is pleasing and
beneficial.One should not speak
pleasing things which are not beneficial.

What is good,though
unpleasant,shall be spoken in private,
if(the listener) is willing to listen.

One may even be silent in reply butnevermention anythingdispleasing.

The occasions when one should leave one's post are:(a) whenone'sworkgets destroyedwithoutfruition, (b) one's power getsreduced, (c) when one'slearning
is treated like a tradeablecommodity,
(d) one"s hopes are frustrated, (e)one is eager to be innew countries, (f) when one loses the
confidence of the master, (g)when one
comes into conflict with powerful people.